Chapter 413: Reinforcements and Calamity
"Yes, Commander!"
The ancient demon leader replied in a low growl.
However, it harbored its own ambitions. If it could uncover the Immortal Emperor's treasures within the pseudo-realm, and the relics retained significant power, it might use this chance to rise through the ranks and become a commander itself.
After receiving its orders, the demon leader swallowed the dark Demon Suppression Pill.
Immediately, its entire body—bones, blood vessels, and even its soul—seemed to collapse and distort. Wracked by excruciating pain, it collapsed to the ground, releasing ear-piercing howls.
The agony originated deep within its essence, as its cultivation level was forcibly suppressed. The process was unbearably torturous.
The other ancient demon leaders silently observed, showing neither pity nor relief.
The process lasted about fifteen minutes. When it was over, the demon leader's body had visibly shrunk, leaving a pool of black demon blood on the ground.
Its aura had weakened, falling to the level of a second-rank ancient demon. Its celestial energy was completely sealed, leaving it curled up in the corner, its once-bright celestial mark now dim and lifeless.
Within its body, a vague chain had formed, coiling around its blood and bones, suppressing its strength.
If it could shatter this chain, its power would return. However, repeated use of the Demon Suppression Pill would cause phantom chains to overlay the existing ones, making them impossible to break. This risk meant the permanent loss of its cultivation level.
"Send in ten minor leaders first," the ancient demon commander ordered coldly.
The minor leaders, also second-rank demons, had been sent in waves earlier. At first, there had been some favorable reports, but communications had since ceased—clear evidence of their demise.
This time, the commander sent in ten leaders simultaneously to clear the path and stabilize the battlefield near the entrance. The Demon Suppression Pill user would then infiltrate, giving it enough time to break free of its restraints and regain its original power.
Once unsealed, the demon leader's strength would rival the pseudo-realm's most formidable inhabitants. Unless there was a true immortal inside, nothing could stop it.
The ancient demon race prided itself on its dominance within the same rank. Only the most exceptional prodigies of other races could match them.
Meanwhile, far from the Xuan Pin Gate, tens of thousands of miles away, in the desolate void:
A massive army, numbering over ten thousand, advanced swiftly. At the forefront was a woman wielding a scarlet spear. Clad in battle armor, with a flowing purple cape, she exuded unmatched valor and authority. A phoenix feather crown, symbolizing royal lineage, adorned her helmet.
"Sister, Master has said that the main army is gathering near Falling Immortal Valley in the southern regions. The battles there are fierce and present a rare opportunity to achieve immortal merit. Are you sure it's worth deviating from the main objective to pursue this Immortal Emperor bloodline?"
Behind her rode a young man in shining silver armor, with a sword strapped to his waist. His handsome face reflected both admiration and frustration as he glanced at her resolute back.
"Their potential is extraordinary. If we bring them back to the Celestial Palace for training, they will undoubtedly become a True Sovereign in the future," the woman replied coldly.
"From what you've said, they're only a Saint Realm cultivator. A long way from being a True Sovereign. They might not even cross the threshold to immortality. Why are you so confident in them?"
The silver-armored youth sighed helplessly.
"Despite being in the Saint Realm, they have already condensed the Heavenly Dao Embryo."
Her gaze sharpened as she looked ahead, where the horizon was shrouded in ominous dark clouds, stretching like an endless wall.
"Such talent would rank among the top even within the Celestial Palace."
"The Heavenly Dao Embryo?"
The silver-armored youth was visibly startled. Condensing the Heavenly Dao Embryo in the Saint Realm was indeed monstrous.
"I've gathered intelligence from the Celestial Palace's diviners. This place is the pseudo-realm of Tianyang Immortal Emperor, dating back to the end of the Era of Fallen Emperors, over a million years ago. It's surprising that traces of the Immortal Emperor's bloodline have survived. Such talent may have emerged from ancestral blood awakening."
The youth speculated as he analyzed the situation.
"Even if it weren't for the Immortal Emperor's bloodline, the trapped citizens of this pseudo-realm are worth rescuing," the scarlet-spear woman said resolutely.
"The Immortal Emperor's sacrifice paved the way for our True Realm. Saving his people is our duty."
The silver-armored youth glanced at her. Knowing her righteous and unyielding nature, he nodded in agreement.
"In that case, we must proceed cautiously. Although the Abyss of Origins is only guarded by remnants of the ancient demon forces, its overseer, the Demon King Kui Jiao, is no easy opponent. Fortunately, it was injured recently and should still be recuperating in the abyss. If it appears, I'll use the Emperor's Gold Talisman to hold it off while you send a team to investigate the pseudo-realm."
The scarlet-spear woman nodded in acknowledgment.
As the army advanced, they soon encountered a patrol of ancient demons roaming the void.
Rather than avoid confrontation, the scarlet-spear woman led her troops into battle, aiming to create a distraction and send scouts deeper into the pseudo-realm's edge to gather intelligence.
Within the Ancient Hall of the pseudo-realm, behind the Xuan Pin Gate, in the void of the rift:
The Primordial Ancestor, Divine King, and the other Saints remained stationed there, taking turns resting to recover their strength.
Though Saints could regenerate their bodies and possessed extreme resilience, constant clashes with ancient demons left their souls corroded. To maintain their combat readiness, they alternated between taking restorative elixirs and meditating to heal.
For now, the situation was manageable. The ancient demons entered the pseudo-realm one by one, and with the Primordial Ancestor and Divine King present, holding the line was not overly difficult. Their greatest concern, however, was whether the Xuan Pin Gate itself would eventually be breached.
Amidst the swirling black mist at the gate, the Saints watched cautiously as the dark energy condensed. When the mist reached its peak, it coalesced into a monstrous form.
"It's another second-rank ancient demon!"
The Saints exchanged grim looks as the Primordial Ancestor and Divine King unleashed their full power without hesitation.
The demon roared in fury, wielding its unique talents. The black mist churned violently, forming a vortex behind it. Simultaneously, its voice carried a piercing magical resonance, accompanied by an eerie projection of reincarnation.
The projection struck at the Saints' souls, creating illusions of ancient demon shadows attacking their spiritual essence. Though the illusions were not overwhelmingly powerful, they caused enough disruption to destabilize the Saints' defenses.
The soul-piercing wails of the demon reverberated, slicing through the Saints' spiritual consciousness like blades. The dark vortex, meanwhile, exerted a terrifying suction force, threatening to rip their souls from their bodies.
Even the resting Saints were drawn into the fray to withstand the pressure.
The Primordial Ancestor brandished the Heaven-Suppressing Whip, lashing out and tearing through the demon's flesh. The devastating Tribulation Power prevented the wounds from healing.
Yet the demon's soul emitted an even denser black mist, obscuring the void and corroding the Saints' domains, which seemed on the verge of collapse under the onslaught.
"Die!"
The Divine King roared, unleashing dark divine flames that engulfed his divine sword. These were the Nine Nether Flames, appearing like ordinary fire but capable of freezing and slowing even a soul.
Under the combined might of the Saints, the ancient demon let out agonized screams as its body was battered and wounded.
However, just as it was nearing death, another surge of demonic energy gathered at the gate, forming the silhouette of another ancient demon attempting to break through.
Seeing this, the Primordial Ancestor exchanged a glance with the Divine King. Both pushed themselves to their limits, unleashing their full power to quickly annihilate the first demon.
Despite their success, their resources were greatly depleted, and even their so-called Unfading Power couldn't instantly restore their energy.
Before they could catch their breath, the second demon materialized fully—a second-rank ancient demon once again.
The Saints' expressions darkened, sensing an ominous rhythm to the onslaught.
The Primordial Ancestor, however, caught a crucial detail. Though the demons attacked relentlessly, their inability to directly breach the Xuan Pin Gate indicated that they lacked the power to shatter it entirely.
"Hold the line! As long as we guard this place, they cannot break through the gate!"
The Primordial Ancestor's words reignited the morale of the Saints, who redoubled their efforts.
Once again, they unleashed their full strength, suppressing and eventually killing the second demon.
But then came the third—another second-rank ancient demon.
Despite growing exhaustion, the Saints fought on, knowing there was no room for retreat.
Fourth, fifth…
The second-rank ancient demons kept coming, one after another. The Divine King and Primordial Ancestor's faces grew grim. The demons' dying bursts of Soul Devouring Power sent waves of shock through their souls. The repeated shocks drained their strength and left their souls vulnerable.
"Send word to Li Hao immediately. Report the situation truthfully. He will understand the implications," the Primordial Ancestor commanded.
He turned to his disciple, Xiao Tianyu, who immediately conjured a projection to deliver the message to Li Hao's sanctuary.
By the time the seventh demon appeared, the Saints were visibly faltering. Their souls had sustained noticeable damage, and their movements slowed.
As they struggled to defeat the seventh demon, an eighth began to emerge from the gate. Upon seeing the corpses of its kin, it let out an enraged howl, its aura suffused with overwhelming malice.
Meanwhile, in the sanctuary, Li Hao was busy organizing the relocation of disciples from the Miyu Tian sect, who had sought refuge there.
He had already made arrangements to accommodate the incoming disciples on one of the sanctuary's mountain peaks. Miyu Tian's Great Saint had brought along their sect's resources, including their sacred veins and medicine gardens. These sacred veins enriched the sanctuary's spiritual energy, making it dense enough to rival that of a supreme Saint's domain.
The Medical Saint and Swordmaster had also contributed their respective sacred veins. The Swordmaster had been entrusted with the sacred veins of the Sword Ancestor's Sanctuary, ensuring that its legacy wouldn't perish even in his absence.
With the infusion of three major sacred veins, Li Hao's sanctuary had become a haven of unparalleled richness in spiritual energy.
As Li Hao prepared to transfer the citizens of the Dayu Dynasty into the sanctuary, a figure descended upon the sanctuary's skies.
"Li Hao, Lord Hao!"
Xiao Tianyu's projection arrived, his urgency palpable.
Li Hao, his aura concealed under layers of his Myriad Attributes, emerged from his hall. He immediately noticed Xiao Tianyu's rare display of anxiety—a sign of how dire the situation must be.
"What's going on?"
Li Hao frowned, sensing the gravity of the matter.
"The ancient demons are launching a full-scale assault. One second-rank ancient demon after another is forcing its way through the gate. We can barely hold the line…" Xiao Tianyu quickly explained, delivering his message with precision.
Following his master's instructions, Xiao Tianyu didn't embellish or downplay the situation. He trusted Li Hao's judgment to infer the truth: the demons' methodical assault indicated that they lacked the means to breach the Xuan Pin Gate directly.
After hearing the report, Li Hao nodded.
"I'll go and see for myself," he said calmly.
Xiao Tianyu's eyes lit up with gratitude. "Thank you, Lord Hao. Thank you for not abandoning us."
Li Hao waved off the sentiment. "No need for thanks. This isn't the time for grudges."
Once Xiao Tianyu's projection disappeared, Wind Elder turned to Saint of Lies, asking, "Did he lie?"
The Saint of Lies shook her head. "No. He spoke the truth. But if you're going, we'll come with you. This disaster isn't just their fault—it concerns all of us."
Li Hao shook his head. "No need. If I go, it'll suffice. Your presence won't change much. I'll handle it alone for now."
The Great Saint of Miyu Tian added cautiously, "Be careful. He didn't lie, but his projection could've been tampered with to obscure certain details. They know we have the Saint of Lies on our side."
Li Hao nodded. "Understood."
With that, he instructed them to guard the sanctuary while he set off for the Ancient Hall.
Back at the Ancient Hall, two ancient demons battled fiercely against the Saints.
As they fought, more demonic energy churned at the gate, heralding the arrival of yet another demon.
"Master, the message has been delivered. Lord Hao said he will come," Xiao Tianyu reported during the fray.
The Primordial Ancestor sighed in relief. "Good. Lord Hao has never disappointed."
The other Saints, too, felt a weight lift from their hearts. Despite their strained relations, Li Hao's willingness to intervene gave them a glimmer of hope.
"Keep fighting! We cannot afford to lose before Lord Hao arrives!"
The Primordial Ancestor's rallying cry refocused the Saints. Seeing the dark mist swirling at the gate, they braced themselves for the imminent appearance of a third ancient demon.
They gritted their teeth, resorting to ancient forbidden techniques and self-sacrificing secret arts. Finally, the weakened ancient demon was killed, its soul obliterated, but both the Primordial Ancestor and Divine King sustained injuries.
The other ancient demon roared in desperation. Its dark mist contracted and expanded violently, and its soul emitted a dense demonic aura, sacrificing itself to unleash a forbidden talent technique.
The black mist became even more terrifying, capable of corroding the soul energy within any Saint Domain it touched. Their Sacred Dao powers, imbued with soul energy, were likewise eroded when attacking the black mist, making the battle one of mutual destruction.
Amid the roiling mist, yet another ancient demon emerged from the gate.
The Primordial Ancestor, the Divine King, and the Saints could see that the demon was burning its soul to fortify the mist, a temporary but unsustainable measure. If they could outlast it, they could focus on defeating the new arrival and maintain the situation with only two active demons.
Based on Li Hao's travel speed, if they could hold out for just two more demons, help would arrive in time.
"Another second-rank ancient demon… This is the eleventh one!"
The Primordial Ancestor's face darkened. The ancient demons were clearly intent on exhausting them to death.
But there was still hope—Li Hao.
With Li Hao's prior display of overwhelming power and speed in slaying second-rank ancient demons, even an endless tide of them would likely be annihilated under his blade.
As the Primordial Ancestor, the Divine King, and the Saints readied themselves to grind down the empowered black mist, a sudden, anguished howl erupted from within. The sound was feral, filled with pain, and came from the newly emerged demon.
The Saints flinched in surprise and confusion. Was there something wrong with this demon? Why was it screaming in agony the moment it appeared?
But as the demonic howls reverberated, the aura of the demon began to shift. The air in the starry rift grew heavy, and an indescribable pressure rippled outward, making everyone's hair stand on end and their souls tremble.
"What's happening to this demon?"
"I've got a bad feeling."
"Its aura is changing… and its body is growing!"
The Saints stared in shock. This was an unprecedented phenomenon.
The Primordial Ancestor and Divine King quickly sensed something was amiss. "Attack now! Use everything you've got!" the Primordial Ancestor ordered.
They charged into the black mist, launching a ferocious assault against the ancient demon. Though the mist gnawed at their souls, inflicting excruciating pain, they could not afford to hesitate.
Their instincts screamed that delaying further would invite disaster.
Yet, as their attacks reached the demon, an invisible, impenetrable force surrounded its body. Every strike was deflected or redirected away from the demon's form.
"What is this?" The Primordial Ancestor and Divine King froze in disbelief.
The aura emanating from the demon grew more oppressive with each passing moment, a sinister energy radiating from its transforming body.
"This… this demon isn't normal!"
The Primordial Ancestor's heart sank as he felt the overwhelming sense of dread.
The Divine King, sensing the danger, didn't retreat. Instead, his divine sword erupted with Nine Nether Flames, slashing at the demon's body. For a moment, the invisible shield seemed to part, and the sword struck the demon's form.
However, the clash produced a metallic screech, like cutting into divine iron.
The Divine King's expression faltered. His divine sword, a Six-Tribulation Imperial Weapon, could cleave through the flesh of even the mightiest Supreme Saints as though slicing butter. Yet against this demon, it met unyielding resistance.
With a roar, the demon swung its claw, sending the Divine King hurtling backward. Despite still writhing in pain, its body continued to grow, its bones creaking and expanding.
The Primordial Ancestor seemed to realize something, his face paling. "This isn't a second-rank ancient demon… It's been masquerading as one all along…"
The other Saints began to understand. As the demon's bloodied form expanded, it exuded an aura surpassing anything they had encountered—a divine and overwhelming presence that hinted at the realm of the True Immortals.
"It's a True Immortal?!"
Despair overtook the Saints. Their faces turned ashen, and hopelessness settled into their eyes.
"Run. Now."
The Primordial Ancestor, regaining his composure, addressed the Saints. "Li Hao said True Immortals couldn't enter this realm, but this demon has used some twisted method to bypass that restriction."
"Go find Li Hao immediately. Support him with everything you have. Perhaps he might find a way to deal with this demon."
The Saints hesitated.
"What about you, Master?" Xiao Tianyu asked anxiously.
The other disciples of the Primordial Ancestor shared the same concern, their eyes filled with unease.
The Primordial Ancestor stepped forward, his gaze calm and resolute. "I'll hold the line. Before Li Hao, I was the strongest of the heavens. I'll ensure you get away safely. Go."
The Divine King, retreating to his side, glanced at him with narrowed eyes. A mocking smile played on his lips.
"Leave," the Divine King said to the Saints. He brandished his sword, stepping alongside the Primordial Ancestor.
The Saints froze. They had never expected the Divine King—once vilified by the heavens—to make such a choice.
"I refuse to let him surpass me in anything," the Divine King said coldly.
The Primordial Ancestor shot him a look, their shared smirks revealing a silent understanding.
"Let's go!"
Though reluctant, the Saints turned and fled. There was no time for sentimentality or words of farewell. Every second counted.
"I'll stay and fight alongside you," the Saint of Names said, stepping forward.
The Primordial Ancestor shook his head. "We're enough. You'll be of more use aiding Li Hao. This is a True Immortal-level demon… I don't know if even he can handle it."
The Saint of Names hesitated before nodding, retreating with the others.
As the Saints fled, the rift grew eerily quiet.
The Primordial Ancestor and Divine King stood together, watching the demon's colossal body swell and its aura intensify.
Despite the oppressive atmosphere, the two remained unnervingly calm.
"Still as crafty as ever. Where's your real body hidden?" the Divine King sneered, not looking at the Primordial Ancestor.
The Primordial Ancestor's voice was equally composed. "And here I thought your flesh was impressive… Turns out it's just a clone."
"Hmph, likewise," the Divine King sneered.
"But your clone is more valuable. You don't need to stay here with me," the Primordial Ancestor said with a faint smile.
"I don't trust you. If I leave, you might just use 'holding the line' as an excuse to escape. Besides, with me here, we can last longer, giving them more time to reach Li Hao. At the very least, we can delay until he arrives," the Divine King replied coldly.
The Primordial Ancestor chuckled softly, then sighed, his tone tinged with melancholy. "I wonder if the heavens can endure this calamity and whether Li Hao will be able to stop it."
"That's up to him. If he can find a way to survive, so can I," the Divine King replied mockingly.
At that moment, the agonized howls of the ancient demon subsided. Its aura stabilized, but the energy it emitted made both the Primordial Ancestor and Divine King grow solemn.
The Primordial Ancestor's memories of encountering Immortals long ago surfaced vividly, filling him with a complex mix of dread and excitement.
"I've never had the chance to fight an Immortal. Let me see what a True Immortal's power feels like!"
The Divine King's eyes lit up with battle lust. He locked onto the ancient demon and charged forward.
The demon opened its eyes, and as the chains that shackled its power shattered, its cultivation surged. The intense agony it had endured transformed into an intoxicating sensation of newfound strength.
Hearing the sound of rushing wind, the demon's crimson eyes flashed.
Boom!
The Divine King was struck by a beam of scarlet light, sent hurtling backward. His divine armor absorbed most of the blow but was dented from the impact.
"This is the so-called strongest power in this realm? The remnants of an Immortal Emperor's bloodline?" the ancient demon muttered, its deep voice reverberating like thunder.
Its gaze swept across the Primordial Ancestor and Divine King, assessing them. These two were stronger than the fleeing Saints, nearly reaching the peak of Saint-level combatants.
Now the demon understood why the lesser demons it had sent before had all failed to return.
"Die."
The demon raised its claw, and a swirling black vortex materialized in its palm, radiating a terrifying soul-devouring energy.
The Divine King and the Primordial Ancestor immediately unleashed their Saint Domains in full force. Their extreme-level powers erupted as they tried to resist the vortex's pull.
But as the vortex surged, imbued with True Immortal energy, their efforts felt feeble—like ants trying to move a mountain. Their souls began to tremble, as if about to be forcibly pulled from their bodies.
"This is… the power of a True Immortal…"
The Primordial Ancestor's pupils contracted, his expression a mix of shock and grim determination. Beneath his fear, a flicker of fervor shone in his eyes.
Li Hao rushed toward the Ancient Hall at full speed.
As the hall came into view, numerous Saint auras flickered across the void.
Frowning, Li Hao concealed himself in a nearby spatial fissure, observing the fleeing Saints.
"What's going on?" he asked as he revealed himself, his voice cutting through the air.
The escaping Saints flinched at his sudden appearance but quickly relaxed upon recognizing him.
The Supreme Saint of Yin-Yang, leading the group, hurriedly replied, "Li Hao, the Immortal Gate has been breached. A True Immortal-level ancient demon has entered!"
He raised his hand, conjuring a projection of the battle.
Li Hao's eyes scanned the image, and his tense expression eased slightly. At least the gate itself hadn't been destroyed.
But as his gaze fell upon the ancient demon, his face darkened. He immediately recognized it—a demon commander, a bona fide True Immortal!
Even in the True Realm, such an entity would be formidable, rivaling the most exceptional of True Immortals.
"They've found a loophole…"
The projection revealed the demon's steadily rising power and rapidly expanding body. Li Hao quickly deduced that the demon must have used a secret method to disguise itself as a second-rank demon, bypassing the realm's restrictions. The moment it entered, it restored its full True Immortal cultivation.
A True Immortal…
Li Hao swept his gaze over the fleeing Saints and asked coldly, "Where are the Primordial Ancestor and the Divine King?"
"They stayed behind to hold the line," replied the Saint of Laws in a grave tone.
Li Hao paused, surprised. They chose to stay behind?
There was no time to ponder their sudden sense of duty. A True Immortal-level demon in this realm was nothing short of an apocalyptic threat.